5 reasons why you may need a sworn translation

People often think they need a sworn translation, such as when it comes to legal documents. But not every legal document needs to have a sworn translation. Sworn translations are generally required for official documents that need to be translated into another language for official bodies. To make things a bit easier, we have made a list of the top 5 documents that often require a sworn translation.

What is a sworn translation?

A sworn translation is a translation that has been made legally valid and certified by a specialised translator: the sworn translator. This translator is sworn by a court for a particular language combination. The translation is inextricably attached to the original and certified by the translator, whereby he or she declares that the translation is correct and complete. The declaration must be provided with a signature and stamp.

1. Translation of official documents

An official document such as a driver's license, passport, extract and birth certificate often require a sworn translation. Are you going to emigrate? Get married abroad? Get divorced in a country other than the Netherlands? Then you will need a sworn translator to translate your document correctly and provide you with a declaration.

It is often requested by official bodies – such as municipalities, universities, embassies, courts, law firms and notaries – that the following official documents be translated by a sworn translator:

• emigration documents
• birth certificates
• driving licences
• passports
• population register extracts
• death certificates
• marriage certificates
• divorce decrees, etc.

2. Translation of court documents

In the process of a lawsuit or international legal matters you will in most cases have to hire a sworn translator. Think about translating the following court documents:

• subpoenas
• judgements
• decisions
• bailiff's locks
• petitions
• defences
• supporting documents, etc.

3. Translation of notarial documents

When setting up a business abroad or opening an additional office in another country, your deed of incorporation may have to be sworn translated. In addition to the deed of incorporation, there are other documents that often require a sworn translation, for example:

• articles of association
• deeds of association
• co-opted
• wills
• clarifying pleased, etc.

4. Translation of agreements

One of the 5 reasons why you might need a sworn translation is because you are going to buy something abroad. In the case of contracts, it is particularly important that the translation is clear in terms of content and what the possible consequences are. In fact, in certain countries a sworn translation is required in order to make contracts legally valid. Often the following documents require a sworn translation:

• rental agreements
• purchase agreements
• employment contracts
• pension agreements, etc.

5. Translation of other documents

Have you found a new job abroad? Then it may just be that your future employer needs a sworn translation of your diploma or references. In addition to those examples, the following documents are also eligible for a certified translation:

• certifications
• certificates
• lists of figures
• references
• payslips
• bank guarantees
• employer declarations, etc.

Do you doubt whether your situation falls into one of the 5 categories above with regard to the need for a certified translation? To be on the safe side, ask the relevant authority requesting the document whether you need a sworn translation.

Professional sworn translators

Do you need a sworn translation? Our sworn translators have years of experience in translating documents in various sectors. Visit Translationwork.eu for sworn translations from and into all languages.